Innovators Became Finalists of the "Startup as a Diploma" Format of the Thesis Competition

10:49, July 3, 2024

Their developments have been recognized as one of the best and have already attracted the attention of enterprises

Two innovative projects of the Ural Federal University made it to the finals of the first All-Russian competition of graduate qualification works initiated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation: "AWD - Automated Water Dispenser for filling passenger cars with drinking water" by Maxim Vorobyov and "Development and commercialization of a new method of nicotine replacement therapy" by Pavel Antonov (by the way, UrFU Student of the Year in 2023). In total, there are 15 finalists selected from among 500 across Russia.

Maxim Vorobyov's development solves an important problem: after filling the water supply tanks of passenger cars, a significant amount of drinking water spills onto the tracks. As a result, puddles form on the tracks in summer and ice build-ups in winter, cars risk derailing, and companies suffer significant losses. The solution proposed by the team - an automated water dispenser for refueling passenger cars with drinking water - will significantly save money for railway companies and reduce the risk of injury to people. It is no coincidence that the innovation received a prize from the competition's general partner, Sberbank of Russia.

Innovation in the form of nicotine replacement gel is designed to help reduce nicotine addiction in two ways - physiological (reducing the number of cigarettes a person smokes per day) and psychological (abandoning the bad habit of holding a cigarette in his hands).

"The experts highly appreciated the work of the guys. After the presentations, they came up to them and offered options for cooperation. Partners are already interested in the students' product. The finalists have successfully demonstrated their roadmaps and will have an opportunity to develop in the UrFU Startup Studio," said Elena Bespamyatnykh, Director of the Center for Educational Technologies and Personnel Support of Innovation Activity of UrFU.

It is worth noting that the projects contain unique solutions and have been worked on for two years: the innovations have passed all stages in the innovation infrastructure of UrFU, including accelerator programs and the "Startup as a Diploma" format.

Reference

The innovation infrastructure of UrFU has been operating since 2010. It initiates, supports, and develops innovative projects, brings technological startups to the market, creates efficient innovative production; promotes the development of talented young people with project thinking and entrepreneurial skills, and forms an ecological environment of technological entrepreneurship.

The Startup as a Diploma program is aimed at supporting businesses at the initial stage. The program was launched at UrFU in 2020. Students in the 3-4th year of their Bachelor's degree, 5-6th year of their Specialist's degree, and 1-2nd year of their Master's degree can join the program.

Anna Matyukhina

The news article was translated by UrFU International Marketing Office.
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